How to Choose a One Word Focus for the New Year 2024

This is a big week for New Year’s resolutions, at least for me. I have been thinking about the upcoming year for a while. In recent years, I have always chosen a single word to focus on as I set goals. Today I would like to share how to choose a one word focus for the New Year 2024.

What is the New Year one word goal?

This may mean a few different things to many people. But for me, the new year one word goal is all about focus. 

Let me explain a bit. In my personal life, and business life, I used to write down many goals at the new year. To me, goal setting seemed like such a Happy New Year thing to do! 

I wrote a long list of goals and lists of new resolutions, put sticky notes everywhere to remind myself. But still, after months, many goals were left by the wayside. Then one previous year, I decided to switch it up.

With the one year word goal, it became more of a guiding word that would send me in the right direction for my goals throughout the year, and I stopped writing huge lists (that were destined to be forgotten anyway).

So I would come up with the ONE WORD that could be my focus for the year. Throughout the year, as I sat down to write any monthly goals (and Lord knows, everything changes constantly) I could focus on my one word resolution.

So when goal setting, the first thing to do would be to remember my word and go from there.

What is a good one word for the year?

The one word thing is so helpful, and will be the word and thought that can stay in the forefront of your mind throughout the year. 

Your one word needs to speak to you, and garner positive change in the future. As humans, isn’t that the goal to always be learning, growing, and evolving? 

Some of the past words I have used have been: INTENTIONAL, CREATE, STILL, SIMPLIFY, LEARN and others. But the word you choose will be entirely dependent upon the type of person you are and what motivates you. Well, let’s say what ‘inspires’ you, because if we were leaving it to motivation, I should just make my one word TACOS and that will get me going!

But your one word should be something that will lead you to do important things that you feel will have a positive change in your life.

The best way to personal growth with your word

The best way to have success with your personal word of the year is to write it down or tell someone. This one word challenge can be a meaningful thing that you can do with another family member or close friend.  

If you aren’t comfortable really sharing personal aspects of your life or your list of resolutions, then sharing just the one word can give you some accountability toward personal and spiritual growth. Whatever works for your comfort zone is best.

How do you choose a focus word for the year?

Although this exercise is only one little word, it can be daunting. How in the world do you come up with just one? 

Begin by thinking about what short term goals you have for yourself. What word would get you on the right track of where you want to go?

You may also need to look at where you have been this past year, and what growth you are looking for in your daily life. The past is gone, but it allows us to remember and never go back to those places we don’t want to be.

Just thinking about my loved ones, family and friends and what they have been through this past year, inspires some words. You may need words like: HEALING, KINDNESS, LOVE, or GROWTH. Whatever word feels good in the current moment, and would lead you to where you want to be in the coming month, will work.

Even if you have big plans, and come up with real change for yourself, you can always tweak your word mid-year. In past years, I have even chosen new words in the middle of the year, because I felt like the one I started with definitely got me going, and when I got there, I needed renewal. Hey, that’s a good word, RENEW.

There are many great words out there, so start by making a list of a few that speak to you. Then you will be able to narrow it down within a few days as you ponder how each word can affect your growth.

If you are having a mental block, get out and go for a walk in nature. Think about your goals, and words will flood your mind.

How can this help different areas of your life?

This is the fun part! I always like to get right to the meat of the task. 

Let’s say you picked a word like SIMPLIFY. You can think pretty generically to just make simple choices, but what would that look like for different areas of your life? 

For health, instead of writing down all these crazy traditional New Year’s resolution ideas that might just be gone by the end of January, think about ‘simplifying’ your health (and your list).

Focus the first month on just drinking more water and make that a habit. When February rolls around, choose another goal like meal planning simple dishes that can be ready in 15 minutes. 

For home life or business, SIMPLIFY might guide you to make the choices and ‘let go’ of some tasks so you can simplify your daily life. Or it can lead you to proceed in a simple manner with items, that allow you to make no nonsense choices.

You don’t have to come up a list of specific goals. You can just allow your one word to guide you throughout the year, as you navigate each present moment. Sometimes it is the little things, that over time, become the biggest growth.

What is your one word goal?

If this is your first time thinking about choosing a one word focus, don’t necessarily choose the first word that comes to mind. If you really know yourself, the first word could be the best. However, if you can take a few days to really think about the aspects of life that need growth, several words may begin to pop into your mind. 

Write them down, and think about each one for awhile. How could it guide you the entire year? What other word ideas will it lead you to? In no time, you will come up with the word that is right for you.

Physical ways to remember and focus on your word

Remembering your word won’t be too hard, if you have really given it deep thought. For me, it always sits in my soul for awhile, while I think about the first step of change. 

It may help to write it on a post-it note and stick it on your bathroom mirror, computer screen, or anywhere else that you will see it at the beginning of most days. 

I love to create a vision board too! This can be done online if you like to have everything on your devices or in your phone notes. 

I prefer something a bit old school, so I use a bulletin board. Throughout the year, as things begin happening, I can pin items to the board that inspire and motivate me to continue to focus on my word that can bring about growth and thoughtfulness.

My vision board has been cleared, and is ready for the new year. Although, I do always keep this little reminder card on it each year so I can always remember to make whatever IT is happen!

Create spaces to focus your efforts

Of course, I wanted to throw in a little reminder about creating space for your word in your life. Not just mind space, but actual home living space.

Your home should always feel like a haven from the outside world. Depending on where you are in your life, make sure you have a place that you can retreat to when you need to goal set and ponder life. Even if it is just a favorite chair somewhere.

Being an empty nester, I have a home studio that is all mine where I can go and work and create. There is a space for crafts, computer work, and relaxing. When I need to be alone, away from the goings on in the house, I can come up here and clear my head.

Sometimes I can go outside, sit in the hot tub (I like to at night) and stare at the stars and tree tops and think and plan. Other times, the window seat in the kitchen is a place to sit and look out the while I think about stuff.

Feeling renewed

Wherever you can retreat to and call your own, whether inside or outside, create a little place to think. Have a table nearby for a drink, a place to put your feet up, and pen and paper for note taking.

You may be in the time of life where the only peace and quiet might be in your car! If that is the case, place needed items in your console so when you have a minute to yourself, you can be prepared to open your thoughts.

Trust me, I remember those years! Even if my pondering time was putting my car in park, and waiting for a train to pass over the road, I could take a hot minute and focus on my word and organize my mind to go where it needed to go. You got this!

Just find that one spot you like to sit, read or ponder and ideas will come.

Last year, first year, or next year: plan for some growth

No matter where you are in this journey, you can change and grow. Even if this is your first time in making goals this way, you can feel a renewal each time throughout next year while you focus on your one word.

Consider your life last year. What were you happy with, that you need more of? What needs a change? And what might need growth?

If new circumstances were forced upon you, as unplanned (sometimes horrible) things happen to us all, think about what you can learn from those times and begin to heal. There was a lot of sadness everywhere this past year, for many of my close friends and even family, as we said goodbye to our mom. What is important to move forward with you and how can you heal from the past?

Consider making a few new boards on your Pinterest, and add items that speak to you in tangible ways, as well as spiritual ways. Here’s to growth and change in a new year, my friend.

Tell me in the comments what is your favorite way to start the new year for goal setting and resolutions. I’d love to hear.